Sonko asks gangs to exchange firearms for jobs, protection

What you need to know:

  • The governor promised that those who return weapons acquired illegally, within this period, will not be punished.

  • The governor also announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the 200,000 affordable housing units will take place next week.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Saturday asked gangsters to return illegal firearms within seven days, promising them protection and jobs.

The governor pledged that those who return weapons acquired illegally, within this period, will not be punished. The amnesty will begin on Monday.

ASSURANCE

Mr Sonko asked young people to shun crime.

“All those holding firearms illegally have seven days to return them. You will get jobs and protection," he said during a fundraiser for Harrison Karanja, who was shot several times.

The governor did not give details of how the exercise will be conducted, and whether police will be involved. He said, however, that there will be discussions.

Mr Karanja was wounded by unknown people in Kayole and is recuperating at a Nairobi hospital, where the bill is more than Sh5.1 million.

At least Sh4.7 million was raised during the fundraiser.

Among those who attended the event were Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti, Makadara member of parliament George Aladwa, Isiolo South's Abdi Koropu and several Nairobi members of county assembly.

HOUSING UNITS

The governor also announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the 200,000 affordable housing units will take place next week.

Affordable housing is one of the four pillars of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda. The others are food security, universal healthcare and manufacturing.

The project will be launched in Pangani and then old and new Ngara, Jeevanjee-Bachelors, Ngong Road Inspectorate staff quarters, Uhuru and Suna Road.

Regarding corruption, Mr Sonko reiterated that the vice will not be tolerated and that his administration will not relent in the war against it.

He said, "No one will live in squalor under my administration and I will not allow corruption to thrive under my watch."